Fill box



Aug. 26, 1930. J. B. HOLTSON FILL BOX Filed May 23, 1927 i 1 y w 9 Patented Aug. 26, 19353 FILL BOX Applieationfiled May as,

The invention relates to fill boxes for use in connection with storage tanks for liquid fuels, lubricating oils and in fact any other liquid. I

The principal object of the invention, generally stated, is to provide a fill box equipped with novel locking means which normally obstructs the device so as to prevent siphoning out of the tank contents, entrance of dirt, trash or other foreign matter either accidentally or as the result of malicious mischief, or filling of the tank by an unauthorized person or with an inferior grade of fuel or other liquid in the absence of the attendant, owner or other proper person.

An important object of the invention is to provide a fill box of this type having gauge means permanently associated with the passage obstructing locking means, the arrange- 'ment being such that the owner, attendant or other person may ascertain the quantity of liquid within the tank without it being necessary to remove the locking means and insert a measuring rod or pole as is ordinarily done.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined closure and lock of extremely simpleconstruction whereby it may be in sorted or removed, as the case may be, without any great degree of manipulation.

An additional object is to provide a fill box of this character and embodying these characteristics which will, moreover, be simple and inexpensive to manufacture and install, easy to manipulate, positive in action, eflicient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which: I

The figure is a view partly in perspective and partly in section showing the lock in place, the cover-removed and the gauge rod partly withdrawn.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates a portion of 1927. Serial No. 193,520.

the fill pipe of a tank for the storage of a liquid, such for instance asgasoline, fuel oil for commercial or industrial use, lubricating oil, or the like. Suitably mounted upon the pipe 1 is the fill box indicated generally at 2 and here represented as comprising a single body, preferably of cylindrical shape, formed conveniently as a casting and of any desired size and material. Near its upper end this fill box is shown as having an outwardly liar-ed portion 3 terminating in an upstandingfiange 4 which projects beyond a ledge or seat 5 on which is mounted a yieldable gasket Gheld in place in any desired manner as for instance by being let into a recess 7 outwardly of and adjacent the ledge 5.

Extending coaxially of the fill box body and arranged therewithin is a preferably cylindrical sleeve portion 8 joined to the fill box body by a horizontal web 9. At some point below the web, the sleeve portion 8 is formed with a recess 10 in its inner periphery for cooperation with a locking device to be described, and the lower end of the sleeve portion is formed with an inwardly directed flange 11 constituting abutment means for supporting the closure. Above the web 9 the sleeve portion 8 is exteriorly threaded as indicated forcngagement thereon of the closure cap.

The obstructing member is indicated generally at 12 and preferably comprises a disk 13 of a diameter to be received readily within the sleeve 8 and adapted to seat upon the flange 11. Carried by this disk 13 is a lock casing lei within which is any ordinary or preferred locking means for controlling the projection and retraction of a slidable looking bolt 15 which is adapted to be received within the recess 10. While details of the lock are not disclosed and are not necessary to a proper understanding of the invention, it is represented as of the key operated type and provided with a keyhole 16 for the in sertion of a proper key for manipulating the lock mechanismto retract or project the bolt. Clearly, the engagement of the bolt within the recess 10 will prevent rotation of the obstructing member and also prevent removal or withdrawal thereof from within the sleeve portion 8.

A feature of importance is the provision of a gauge rod 17 calibrated in any desired manner and slidable through an opening 18 in the disk 13 so as to project normally down into the tank. Connected in any suitable manner with the upper end of this rod, as by a securing element 19, is a chain or other flexible member 20 preferably provided at its upper end with a button, ring or the like indicated at 21 so that it may be easily grasped and pulled for withdrawing the gauge rod partially through the fill box so that the operator or attendant may ascertain the quantity of liquid within the tank. No 'mally, the button or ring 21 will seat upon the disk 13 and close the opening 18 therein.

Under normal circumstances, it is intended that the fill be be closed, and for this reason have provided a apted to upon the gasket 6 w -.h with the top of the flange T a de internally threaded 1' c a. .c l to be screwed onto the threaded upper portion of the sleeve 8. Logically, the cap must be provided with some means whereby it may be rotated so that it may be screwed into place and vice versa. ,In the present instance this means is represented as a socket 2% adapted to receive suitable turning wrench. However, there is no particular limitation as to the c act means employed for this purpose.

In the use of the device, it will be seen that normally the obstructing member 12 carrying the lock is in place upon the flange 11 with the lock bolt in extended or projected position and engaging within the recess 10. The gauge rod 17 is at its lowermost position and the cap 22 is engaged with the sleeve 8. Access to the tank is thus impossible unless one has the necessary key. removing the cap and pulling up the gauge rod the quantity of liquid within the tank may be ascertained without removi g the obstructing member 12. Of course this member must be unlocked and withdrawn before liquid c duced through the till h V lieved that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in art vri hont further explanation.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment oi. the invention it will be understood that the disclosure is merely for purposes of illustration and that I reserve the right to make all such chan in the details as will increase the adaptability and widen the hold of utility of the invention provided such modifications constitute no cleparture from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A tank fill box comprising a body having an inwardly directed interiorly arranged flange, the body being formed adjacent said flange with a recess in its inner periphery, an obstructing member removably engaged within the body and normally supported upon said flange and a key actuated slidable bolt carried by the obstructing member and norm lly engaged within said re ess, said recess being only slightly greater of dimensions than the bolt and cooperating therewith to prevent rotation of the obstructing member, and said obstructing member fitting snugly whereby to be incapable of tilting to withdraw the bolt from the recess.

2. A fill box for liquid storage tanks com prising a body provided interiorly with an inwardly directed abutment and formed adjacent said abutment with a recess located in its inner periphery, an obstructing member ren'iovably located within the body and normally resting upon said abutment and serving as a closure, said obstructing member having an upstanding housing portion there on with a relatively large face and enclosing a key actuated slidahle bolt projcctable into the recess for preventing rotation and vertical. sliding of the obstructing member, said relatively large face being engageable with ti 2 inner periphery of the body to prevent sufiicient tilting of the obstructing member to remove the bolt from the recess.

3. In a tank [ill box, a cylindrical body having one end formed with a ledge adapted to s pport a. closure cap, a sleeve formed integra ly within the body and joined thereto by a traisverse web intermediate its ends, said having its upper end open and adapted to engaged by the closure cap, an in wardly directed horizontal flange at the lower end of said sleeve, an obstructing member removably mounted within the sleeve and including a disk iittir g snugly therein and n0rmally resting upon said horizontal flange, a lock casing on the disk, a key operated lock mechanism within the casing embodying a bolt adapted to be projected beyond the periphery of the disk. and said sleeve being formed at its inner periphery with a recess adapted to receive said bolt to prevent rotation 01 the obstructing member, said obstructing member being removable from the sleeve by only a straight line pull upwardly and said d sk fitting suliiciently snugly within the sleeve to prevent tilting in an attempt to withdraw the bolt from the recess.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES B. HO LTSON. 

